Barbara Dean (Winkler) Dunnigan

Barbara Dean Winkler Dunnigan, age 85, of Boone, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 29, 2024, at Deerfield Ridge Assisted Living. Barbara, also known affectionately by family as “Baboo” was born in Boone on November 5, 1938, and was the daughter of the late Gordon and Iva Dean Winkler. She attended Appalachian High School and was a graduate of Appalachian State Teacher’s College. There she met the love of her life, Bob Dunnigan, in her health class, and after graduation they married on August 27, 1960. Trained in elementary education, Barbara chose to invest her gifts in what she considered to be her highest calling: embodying God’s love and care to her family and others through her faithful prayers, thoughtfully chosen words and abundant acts of kindness and service. She volunteered in the schools her children attended, her church, Boone United Methodist, as well as in other community outreaches that focused on those most in need.

She is survived by her loving and faithful husband of 63 years, Bob; her sister, Anna Boyce Phillips; two children, Bobby Dunnigan and wife Tammy of Boone, and Linda Humnick and husband Paul of Maple Grove, Minnesota; five grandchildren, Trey Dunnigan of Boone, Courtney  Sanford and husband Bailey of Greensboro, Whitney Greene and husband Matt of Boone, Abraham Humnick of Minneapolis, MN, and Katy Humnick of Maple Grove, MN; 3 great-grandchildren, Iva Sanford, Ezra Sanford, and Caden Greene; niece Elizabeth Phillips, nephews David Phillips and wife Tiana and Stephen Phillips and grandnieces and nephews, Meagan Phillips, Daniel Phillips, and Jordan Phillips.

A visitation will be held on Friday, August 2, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Austin and Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory, which is serving the Dunnigan family.

A service to celebrate Barbara’s life will be held on Saturday, August 3 at 1:00 pm, at Boone United Methodist Church, 471 New Market Boulevard, Boone, NC, officiated by Rev. Dr. Ed Glaize, Rev. Patti Connelly, and Dr. George Naff.

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to the staff of Medi Home Hospice and Deerfield Ridge Assisted Living and the additional caregivers who served Barbara so faithfully.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to  Boone United Methodist Church “Because We Care” Initiative or to Medi Home Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive Suite 101, Boone, North Carolina 28607 Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

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